Tottenham's second-half performance showed that Edgar Davids is better employed infield than on the left. Davids started out wide but was much more influential when he moved into the centre. The team's passing improved and they scored an equaliser.

Davids has tended to be used on the left by Spurs but is limited with his work there. He has fewer passing options, does not possess the dribbling pace to go past people on the outside and there is a temptation for Tottenham to try to find him with longer crossfield passes, although that is counter-productive.

At Old Trafford, while the ball was travelling 50-60 yards, Phil Bardsley could move one third of that distance and be right on top of Davids to challenge. Michael Dawson likes to hit diagonal balls but can learn from Ledley King, a model of playing simple passes with both feet.

With Tottenham losing, Martin Jol cleverly manoeuvred his midfield by putting Jermaine Jenas right, Aaron Lennon left and Davids central with Michael Carrick. Then we saw the wisdom of giving Davids the platform he prefers. He had more touches and could use his great strengths - his hustling and sharp passing at close quarters under pressure. Davids had more passing options, brought players into the game and allowed Tottenham to get bodies forward. Davids prefers shorter passes and linked the attack better. Jermain Defoe benefits in particular. Davids will find him with passes across the 18-yard box, whereas the striker has to come wider to get the ball from the Dutchman when he is on the left.